Want exclusive resort insights? Want to know where to find epic après? Get the latest updates from your favorite resorts and brands! During our Q&A series you will hear from resort experts, brand leaders, and après aficionados! This week we spoke with Mike Barney on Valle Nevado’s heli-skiing program.
Imagine a day where you don’t have to fight the crowds for first tracks, a day where every run is covered in pristine, untouched powder, and you spend zero time waiting in lift lines. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, there is a way to achieve that dream and that is heli-skiing!
Heli-skiing uses a helicopter to transport skiers and snowboarders to remote mountain peaks inaccessible via lift. And Valle Nevado, in the Chilean Andes, has on of the best heli-skiing programs in the world! With over 308,000 acres of terrain, most heli-ski runs start at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet).
Expert guides at the resort tailor every trip to guest’s level, keeping groups small and outfitting guests with upgraded BCA safety gear for 2025. Some peaks are just a five-minute flight away, making every day an adventure. Heli-skiing at Valle Nevado immerses guests in Chilean mountain culture, from the local guides who know these peaks intimately to the laid-back après-ski scene that combines South American hospitality with alpine adventure.
We caught up with Mike Barney, a long-time heli-skiing guide at Valle Nevado to tell us everything skiers should know before their first heli-skiing trip.
How long have you been skiing? And when did you first get into heli-skiing?
I started skiing when I was 3 years old, so 43 years. But I started heli-skiing up in Valdez Alaska. I had been working as a guide for Silverton Mountain, but they didn’t have heli-skiing back then. I wanted to check it out, so I went up to Alaska and started working for a heli-ski company to see how it all works!
Favorite place you’ve ever skied?
My favorite place to ski is in the Central Andes or Alaska. Best terrain and snow quality on the planet!
What ski destination is still on your bucket list?
I have plans to visit Georgia and ski in the Caucasus Mountains this winter. It’s been on my list for years!
Go to order at après?
Sparkling water with lemon, I am not a drinker.
Best après experience you’ve ever had?
There’s nothing quite like sitting on the deck at Valle Nevado with the sun on your face—watching the last skiers come off the mountain and ski patrol make their sweep. Sharing photos and stories from the day with friends over a drink, it is pretty hard to beat!
What makes heli-skiing in the Andes unique? What sets it apart from other help-ski destinations?
A few things that are unique about Valle Nevado are the elevation and vertical drop in this area of the Andes. It’s the second-largest mountain range in the world. You’re able to ski huge runs! It’s possible to get out of the helicopter and ski 6 or 7000ft in vertical. It’s a really an awesome challenge, and it’s also quite beautiful.
We fly out, towards the Argentinian border from the ski area and we’re flying around 21,000ft peaks, and you can see the Argentinian border, the Continental divide with steam coming out of volcanos, it’s unreal!
Guides plan and pace the day around each group’s needs. We run two helicopters, we have one helicopter that’s servicing private guests staying and heliskiing as much as possible during the week, and then we have another helicopter that’s servicing “day skiers” that are mostly skiing the ski area but maybe want to heli ski one or two days during their week stay at VN. And so, each day, “day skiers” will be divided into three groups. This option is nice because you can experience heliskiing without having to commit for a full week.
If you’re a first-time heli skier, it can be intense just being around the helicopters. But all our guides have been working here for a long time, I’m considered the rookie guide at VNH, and I’ve been there for 12 seasons! The other guides have been here 20 to 30 years. So they’re really good at reading the guests, and helping ease some of the anxiety first timers may feel around the helicopter. We can slow the pace down if they need to, or if the guests are experienced, we’re happy to ski more runs and more challenging terrain. We know how to create custom heliskiing for guests at all different ability levels!
What level of skiing or riding experience should someone have before booking?
Heli-skiing at Valle Nevado isn’t just for experts. For intermediate skiers, there are terrain zones that feature wide valleys and rolling slopes. Expert skiers won’t be disappointed either, with many long and steep couloirs to take on.
What physical or technical preparations do you recommend guests make before coming to heli-ski in Valle Nevado?
We recommend doing some preseason training to get your ski legs in shape before you arrive. Spend a few days skiing at the resort before your heli day will also help you acclimate to the elevation and get comfortable on your skis or board since it’s probably been a while since you last rode.
Can you walk us through what a typical heli-ski day looks like—from the morning briefing to the final run?
We start the day by meeting at the Heliski Office at 9:00 am, where guests will sign waivers and receive the gear needed for the day (backpack and avalanche safety equipment). From there, we walk down to the helipad for an avalanche gear orientation, safety briefing, and helicopter briefing.
By around 10:00 am, we lift off and head out to ski. Out in the field, we will ski a few runs and then stop for lunch. We have lunch and water in the helicopter that’s included with your heli day. Guests typically ski 4–6 runs per day, depending on snow conditions, terrain, and weather. Run lengths vary from day to day, but each one is designed to maximize both skiing quality and safety.
We usually return between 2:00–3:00 pm, landing back at the ski area before skiing a groomed run down to Valle Nevado. The day ends with a chance to click out of your skis, grab a table and order a cold one.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone booking their first-ever heli-ski trip to make the most of the experience?
Bring powder skis! 105 to 120mm underfoot will serve you well.
Anything new and exciting happening with Valle Nevado’s heli-ski program people should know about?
In past seasons, we’ve operated with 3 groups per helicopter. Next season, we’ll be limiting this to a maximum of 2 groups per helicopter. This change is designed to enhance the overall customer experience by allowing for smoother operations, better pacing, and a more personalized day in the mountains.
We’re always tweaking and improving our operations. This year, we’re adding new avalanche airbags. Everybody gets the use of new BCA air bags, beacons, and shovel probes.
Are you making a difference in the ski industry? Do you host fun and exciting events for skiers and snowboarders? Want to share what makes your resort special? If you are ready to tell your story, email us at editor@apreschronicles.com to be featured in our Q&A series!
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity. All photos courtesy of Valle Nevado.
